Steam locomotive D51 516 is preserved in Hommoku Public Park in Yokohama City
Sakura (cherry blossoms) season has come in the Tokyo metropolitan area again. We can see beautiful faint pink blossoms here and there. People are feeling the herald of spring. With so many cherry blossom viewing spots available, it's hard to select which one is the best. After wavering, I headed to Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture with my family.
Our destination was Sankei-en, which is a traditional Japanese-style garden in the city. It was opened by a silk trader, Sankei Hara, in 1906. Although it was badly damaged during WWII, the garden was perfectly restored after it was donated to the City of Yokohama in 1953. I saw many visitors admiring full-blown cherry blossoms in the garden.
On the way back home, I found an old steam locomotive (SL) preserved in Hommoku Public Park near Sankei-en. It was unit number 516 of the Class D51 (D51 516). Class D51 was Japan's largest force of SL fleet. A total of 1,115 units were built from 1935 to 1950. It is a 2-8-2 (Whyte notation) type SL that has a tender attached. Currently, D51 200 and 498 are still operated on the track as sightseeing trains; while a total of 178 units are preserved in museums, public parks and schools throughout Japan. D51 516 was built by Omiya Factory of the Railway Ministry in 1941. After 29 years commission, it was retired from the tracks and moved to Hommoku Park in 1970. D51 516 is preserved in a very good condition.
Our destination was Sankei-en, which is a traditional Japanese-style garden in the city. It was opened by a silk trader, Sankei Hara, in 1906. Although it was badly damaged during WWII, the garden was perfectly restored after it was donated to the City of Yokohama in 1953. I saw many visitors admiring full-blown cherry blossoms in the garden.
On the way back home, I found an old steam locomotive (SL) preserved in Hommoku Public Park near Sankei-en. It was unit number 516 of the Class D51 (D51 516). Class D51 was Japan's largest force of SL fleet. A total of 1,115 units were built from 1935 to 1950. It is a 2-8-2 (Whyte notation) type SL that has a tender attached. Currently, D51 200 and 498 are still operated on the track as sightseeing trains; while a total of 178 units are preserved in museums, public parks and schools throughout Japan. D51 516 was built by Omiya Factory of the Railway Ministry in 1941. After 29 years commission, it was retired from the tracks and moved to Hommoku Park in 1970. D51 516 is preserved in a very good condition.
Full-blown cherry trees in Sankei-en Park in Yokohama City